408 THE GARDENER. [Sept. 



astonishing that it should be so, Primulas are so fragrant, so beauti- 

 ful in colouring, and so neat in habit ; and the majority of the species, 

 flowering as they do in spring and early summer, present a character 

 so desirable, that one would think lovers of flowers, whether profes- 

 sional or amateur, could not easily forget or forgo. There are signs, 

 however, of the old love being taken up again. Some beautiful varie- 

 ties of the Cowslip and Primrose are found very useful in the spring 

 flower-garden, for which they are very fit ; and the catalogues of 

 florists and seedsmen are swelling with new species and varieties in 

 addition to many old and well-known sorts. The majority of Primu- 

 las are very accommodating in cultivation, adapting themselves to 

 many kinds of soils and situations, but are most at home in sandy 

 loams, deep and moist, but well drained and in moderately shady 

 positions. They are easily propagated by seeds, cuttings, and divi- 

 sion, the last being the simplest and easiest process where large 

 increase is not an object. In laying in first stock, seed is the best and 

 cheapest way in the case of the varieties of P. Auricula, Primrose, 

 and Polyanthus, unless fine named sorts are wanted, when they must of 

 course be purchased in plants, and by name, the same as with other 

 florists' flowers ; and the finer and more rare species must be got in the 

 same way, because seeds of those are not always procurable true in 

 this country. For a couple of months or more after sowing the plants 

 do not require much room, and are liable to be destroyed by slugs 

 and other pests whilst in the tender seedling state. A cold frame, 

 hand-lights, or glasses, should therefore, if possible, be devoted to 

 them, in which they will be more easily guarded against "all enemies 

 than if they were in the open ground. If many sorts are to be sown, 

 small pots should be used to sow in, and they should be plunged in 

 sand or coal-ashes. The soil should be sandy loam, peat, and well- 

 decayed leaf-mould, in equal proportions, with plenty of sharp sand to 

 keep the whole sweet and open. Sow thinly, and keep the soil regu- 

 larly moist till the plants appear, when caution in watering will 

 require to be exercised to prevent damping, to which Primulas are all 

 rather liable in their first stages from seed. As soon as the plants are 

 big enough to handle, they must be pricked out thinly in pans, pots, 

 or boxes, and returned to the frame, or set in a shady, warm, sheltered 

 place, and well attended to with water, — taking care, however, not 

 to allow the soil to become stagnant with too frequent waterings, 

 which would very soon be followed by sickness and death to 

 the plants. Primulas delight in moisture in the growing season; 

 but a good sound watering at intervals, not daily driblets or sprink- 

 lings, is what they want. When the plants have made sufficient 

 roots and bulk of leaves they may be transferred to their permanent 



